Methods of treating osteoarthritis using IL-17 receptor proteins in combination with TNF-receptor proteins

ABSTRACT

Methods for regulating levels of nitric oxide are disclosed. The methods utilize IL-17 receptors, which may be used in conjunction with inhibitor of IL-1 and/or TNF.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,728, filed Jan. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,412, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/978,773, filed November 26, 1997, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,906, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/052.525, filed Nov. 27, 1996, now abandoned, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the modulation of levels of nitric oxide, particularly in osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cytokines are hormone-like molecules that regulate various aspects of an immune or inflammatory response; they exert their effects by specifically binding receptors present on cells, and transducing a signal to the cells. In addition to having beneficial effects (i.e., development of an effective immune response and control of infectious disease), cytokines have also been implicated in various autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.

Various cartilage associated cells (i.e., chondrocytes, synovial lining cells, endothelial cells, synovial fibroblasts and mononuclear cells that are present in a joint) can release nitric oxide (NO). This free radical serves as a front-line antimicrobial agent and also has antitumor effects. However, NO has also been implicated in several deleterious conditions, including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and the bone destruction that occurs in osteoarthritis, which is not typically thought of as an inflammatory condition.

Rouvier et al. (J. Immunol. 150:5445; 1993) reported a novel cDNA which they termed CTLA-8, and which has since become known as Interleukin-17 (IL-17). IL-17 is 57% homologous to the predicted amino acid sequence of an open reading frame (ORF) present in Herpesvirus saimiri (HSV) referred to as HVS13 (Nicholas et al. Virol. 179:1 89, 1990; Albrecht et al., J. Virol. 66:5047;1992).

A novel receptor that binds IL-17 and its viral homolog, HVS13, has been cloned as described in U.S. Ser. No. 08/620,694, filed Mar. 21, 1996. The receptor is a Type I transmembrane protein; the mouse receptor has 864 amino acid residues, the human receptor has 866 amino acid residues. A soluble form of the receptor was found to inhibit various IL-17-mediated activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical that is involved in many phenomena, including the pathophysiological conditions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). IL-17 stimulates production of NO by cartilage from individuals afflicted with OA. A soluble form of IL-17R was found to inhibit various IL-17-mediated activities. Accordingly, soluble IL-17R will be useful in regulating levels of NO in a clinical setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Nitric oxide is an intracellular signaling molecule that is involved in many physiological phenomena, including endothelium-dependent relaxation, neurotransmission and cell-mediated immune responses. As an antimicrobial agent, NO is effective against bacteria, viruses, helminths and parasites; it is also useful in the killing of tumor cells. Increased levels of NO occur in inflammatory disease (i.e., arthritis, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, Crohn's disease), and inhibitors of NO synthetases (NOS) have been used in experimental models of inflammatory disease, with varied effects (reviewed by A. O. Vladutiu in Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology 76: 1-11; 1995).

Osteoarthritis (OA) has typically been considered a non-inflammatory disease, however, Amin et al. (J. Exp. Med. 182:2097; 1995) recently reported that the levels of NOS are upregulated in cartilage from OA patients. Incubation of OA-affected cartilage in serum-free medium resulted in the spontaneous release of substantial amounts of NO. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) augmented the nitrite release of OA-affected cartilage. Similar results were observed by Sakurai et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 96:2357, 1995) for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

IL-17 also upregulates release of NO from OA-affected cartilage. Moreover, inhibitors of IL-1β and TNF-α do not inhibit the IL-17-augmented release of NO. Accordingly, inhibitors of IL-17 will be useful in regulating levels of NO. Such inhibitors will find therapeutic application in ameliorating the effects of NO in OA, as well as in other disease conditions in which this free radical plays a role (i.e., autoimmune and inflammatory disease).

A particularly preferred form of IL-17 inhibitor is soluble IL-17R, which is described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 08/620,694. IL-17 inhibitors may be used in conjunction with (i.e., simultaneously, separately or sequentially) inhibitors of IL-1 and TNF. Exemplary IL-1 inhibitors include soluble IL-1 receptors such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,319,071, 5,180,812 and 5,350,683, as well as a protein known as IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA; Eisenberg et al., Nature 343:341, 1990) and inhibitors of an enzyme that cleaves IL-1 into its biologically active form, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,013.

Exemplary TNF inhibitors include soluble forms of TNF receptors, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,760, and TNF receptor fusion proteins such as those disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 08/406,824 and U.S. Ser. No. 08/651,286. In additional, certain virally-encoded proteins are known to bind TNF and act as TNF antagonists, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,359,039 and 5,464,938; and inhibitors of an enzyme that cleaves TNF into its biologically active form are also known (see U.S. Ser. No. 08/651,363 and U.S. Ser. No. 08/655,345). The relevant disclosures of the aforementioned patents and patent applications are incorporated by reference herein.

IL-17, HVS13 and Homologous Proteins

CTLA-8 refers to a cDNA cloned from an activated T cell hybridoma clone (Rouvier et al., J. Immunol. 150:5445; 1993). Northern blot analysis indicated that CTLA-8 transcription was very tissue specific. The CTLA-8 gene was found to map at chromosomal site 1a in mice, and at 2q31 in humans. Although a protein encoded by the CTLA-8 gene was never identified by Rouvier et al, the predicted amino acid sequence of CTLA-8 was found to be 57% homologous to the predicted amino acid sequence of an ORF present in Herpesvirus Saimiri, HVS13. The CTLA-8 protein is referred to herein as Interleukin-17 (IL-17).

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of HVS has been reported (Albrecht et al., J. Virol. 66:5047; 1992). Additional studies on one of the HVS open reading frames (ORFs), HVS13, are described in Nicholas et al., Virol. 179:1 89; 1990. HVS13 is a late gene which is present in the Hind III-G fragment of HVS. Antisera developed against peptides derived from HVS13 are believed to react with a late protein (Nicholas et al., supra).

As described U.S. Ser. No. 08/462,353, a CIP of U.S. Ser. No. 08/410,536, filed Mar. 23, 1995, full length murine CTLA-8 protein and a CTLA-8/Fc fusion protein were expressed, tested, and found to act as a costimulus for the proliferation of T cells. Human IL-17 (CTLA-8) was identified by probing a human T cell library using a DNA fragment derived from degenerate PCR; homologs of IL-17 (CTLA-8) are expected to exist in other species as well. A full length HVS13 protein, as well as an HVS13/Fc fusion protein, were also expressed, and found to act in a similar manner to IL-17 (CTLA-8) protein. Moreover, other species of herpesviruses are also likely to encode proteins homologous to that encoded by HVS13.

Proteins and Analogs

U.S. Ser. No. 08/620,694, filed Mar. 21, 1996, discloses isolated IL-17R and homologs thereof having immunoregulatory activity. Such proteins are substantially free of contaminating endogenous materials and, optionally, without associated native-pattern glycosylation. Derivatives of IL-17R within the scope of the invention also include various structural forms of the primary protein which retain biological activity. Due to the presence of ionizable amino and carboxyl groups, for example, an IL-17R protein may be in the form of acidic or basic salts, or may be in neutral form. Individual amino acid residues may also be modified by oxidation or reduction.

The primary amino acid structure may be modified by forming covalent or aggregative conjugates with other chemical moieties, such as glycosyl groups, lipids, phosphate, acetyl groups and the like, or by creating amino acid sequence mutants. Covalent derivatives are prepared by linking particular functional groups to amino acid side chains or at the N- or C-termini.

Soluble forms of IL-17R are also within the scope of the invention. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of the murine IL-17R is shown in SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2. Computer analysis indicated that the protein has an N-terminal signal peptide with a cleavage site between amino acid 31 and 32. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the actual cleavage site may be different than that predicted by computer analysis. Thus, the N-terminal amino acid of the cleaved peptide is expected to be within about five amino acids on either side of the predicted cleavage site. The signal peptide is followed by a 291 amino acid extracellular domain, a 21 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 521 amino acid cytoplasmic tail. Soluble IL-17R comprises the signal peptide and the extracellular domain (residues 1 to 322 of SEQ ID NO:1) or a fragment thereof. Alternatively, a different signal peptide can be substituted for residues 1 through 31 of SEQ ID NO:1.

The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of the human IL-17R is shown in SEQ ID NOs:3 and 4. It shares many features with the murine IL-17 R. Computer analysis indicated that the protein has an N-terminal signal peptide with a cleavage site between amino acid 27 and 28. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aemal cleavage site may be different than that predicted by computer analysis. Thus, the N-terminal amino acid of the cleaved peptide is expected to be within about five amino acids on either side of the predicted cleavage site. The signal peptide is followed by a 293 amino acid extracellular domain, a 21 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 525 amino acid cytoplasmic tail. Soluble IL-17R comprises the signal peptide and the extracellular domain (residues 1 to 320 of SEQ ID NO:4 or a fragment thereof. Alternatively, a different signal peptide can be substituted for the native signal peptide.

Other derivatives of the IL-17R protein and homologs thereof within the scope of this invention include covalent or aggregative conjugates of the protein or its fragments with other proteins or polypeptides, such as by synthesis in recombinant culture as N-terminal or C-terminal fusions. For example, the conjugated peptide may be a signal (or leader) polypeptide sequence at the N-terminal region of the protein which co-translationally or post-translationally directs transfer of the protein from its site of synthesis to its site of function inside or outside of the cell membrane or wall (e.g., the yeast α-factor leader).

Protein fusions can comprise peptides added to facilitate purification or identification of IL-17R proteins and homologs (e.g., poly-His). The amino acid sequence of the inventive proteins can also be linked to an identification peptide such as that described by Hopp et al., Bio/Technology 6:1204 (1988). Such a highly antigenic peptide provides an epitope reversibly bound by a specific monoclonal antibody, enabling rapid assay and facile purification of expressed recombinant protein. The sequence of Hopp et al. is also specifically cleaved by bovine mucosal enterokinase, allowing removal of the peptide from the purified protein. Fusion proteins capped with such peptides may also be resistant to intracellular degradation in E. coli.

Soluble forms of some transmembrane proteins have been expressed as fusion proteins in which an extracellular domain of a membrane protein (cognate binding region) is joined to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant (Fc) domain. Such fusion proteins are useful as reagents to detect their cognate proteins. They are also useful as therapeutic agents in treatment of disease. However, receptors for Fc domains are present on many cell types. Thus, when a fusion protein is formed from an Fc domain and a cognate binding region, binding to a cell may occur either through binding of the cognate binding region to its cognate protein, or through binding of the Fc domain to an Fc receptor (FcR). Such binding of the Fc domain to Fc receptors may overwhelm any binding of the cognate binding region to its cognate. Moreover, binding of Fc domains to Fc receptors induces secretion of various cytokines that are involved in upregulating various aspects of an immune or inflammatory response; such upregulation has been implicated in some of the adverse effects of therapeutic administration of certain antibodies (Krutman et al., J. Immunol. 145:1337, 1990; Thistlewaite et al., Am. J. Kidney Dis. 11:112, 1988).

Jefferis et al. (Mol. Immunol. 27:1237; 1990) reported that a region of an antibody referred to as the hinge region (and specifically residues 234-237 within this region) determine recognition of the antibody by human Fc receptors FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII. Leu₍₂₃₄₎ and Leu₍₂₃₅₎ were critical to high affinity binding of IgG₃ to FcγRI present on U937 cells (Canfield and Morrison, J. Exp. Med. 173:1483; 1991). Similar results were obtained by Lund et al. (J. Immunol. 147:2657, 1991; Molecular Immunol. 29:53, 1991). These authors observed 10-100 fold decrease in affinity of IgG for FcR when a single amino acid substitution was made at a critical residue.

A single amino acid substitution in the Fc domain of an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (leucine to glutamic acid at position 235) was found to result in significantly less T cell activation than unmutagenized antibody, while maintaining the imnunosuppressive properties (Alegre et al., J. Immunol. 148:3461; 1992). Wawrzynczak et al. found that murine monoclonal antibodies that contained a single amino acid substitution at residue 235 had the same serum half-life as did native antibodies (Mol. Immunol. 29:221; 1992). Fc domains with reduced affinity for Fc receptors are useful in the preparation of Fc fusion proteins.

Leucine zippers were originally identified in several DNA-binding proteins (Landschulz et al., Science 240:1759, 1988). Leucine zipper domain is a term used to refer to a conserved peptide domain present in these (and other) proteins, which is responsible for dimerization of the proteins. The leucine zipper domain (also referred to herein as an oligomerizing, or oligomer-forming, domain) comprises a repetitive heptad repeat, with four or five leucine residues interspersed with other amino acids. Examples of leucine zipper domains are those found in the yeast transcription factor GCN4 and a heat-stable DNA-binding protein found in rat liver (C/EBP; Landschulz et al., Science 243:1681, 1989). Two nuclear transforming proteins, fos and jun, also exhibit leucine zipper domains, as does the gene product of the murine proto-oncogene, c-myc (Landschulz et al., Science 240:1759, 1988). The products of the nuclear oncogenes fos and jun comprise leucine zipper domains preferentially form a heterodimer (O'Shea et al., Science 245:646, 1989; Turner and Tjian, Science 243:1689, 1989). The leucine zipper domain is necessary for biological activity (DNA binding) in these proteins.

The fusogenic proteins of several different viruses, including paramyxovirus, coronavirus, measles virus and many retroviruses, also possess leucine zipper domains (Buckland and Wild, Nature 338:547,1989; Britton, Nature 353:394, 1991; Delwart and Mosialos, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 6:703, 1990). The leucine zipper domains in these fusogenic viral proteins are near the transmembrane region of the proteins; it has been suggested that the leucine zipper domains could contribute to the oligomeric structure of the fusogenic proteins. Oligomerization of fusogenic viral proteins is involved in fusion pore formation (Spruce et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88:3523, 1991). Leucine zipper domains have also been recently reported to play a role in oligomerization of heat-shock transcription factors (Rabindran et al., Science 259:230, 1993).

Leucine zipper domains fold as short, parallel coiled coils. (O'Shea et al., Science 254:539; 1991) The general architecture of the parallel coiled coil has been well characterized, with a “knobs-into-holes” packing as proposed by Crick in 1953 (Acta Crystallogr. 6:689). The dimer formed by a leucine zipper domain is stabilized by the heptad repeat, designated (abcdefg)_(n) according to the notation of McLachlan and Stewart (J. Mol. Biol. 98:293; 1975), in which residues a and d are generally hydrophobic residues, with d being a leucine, which line up on the same face of a helix. Oppositely-charged residues commonly occur at positions g and e. Thus, in a parallel coiled coil formed from two helical leucine zipper domains, the “knobs” formed by the hydrophobic side chains of the first helix are packed into the “holes” formed between the side chains of the second helix.

The leucine residues at position d contribute large hydrophobic stabilization energies, and are important for dimer formation (Krystek et al., Int. J. Peptide Res. 38:229, 1991). Lovejoy et al. recently reported the synthesis of a triple-stranded α-helical bundle in which the helices run up-up-down (Science 259:1288, 1993). Their studies confirmed that hydrophobic stabilization energy provides the main driving force for the formation of coiled coils from helical monomers. These studies also indicate that electrostatic interactions contribute to the stoichiometry and geometry of coiled coils.

Several studies have indicated that conservative amino acids may be substituted for individual leucine residues with minimal decrease in the ability to dimerize; multiple changes, however, usually result in loss of this ability (Landschulz et al., Science 243:1681, 1989; Turner and Tjian, Science 243:1689, 1989; Hu et al., Science 250:1400, 1990). van Heekeren et al. reported that a number of different amino residues can be substituted for the leucine residues in the leucine zipper domain of GCN4, and further found that some GCN4 proteins containing two leucine substitutions were weakly active (Nucl. Acids Res. 20:3721, 1992). Mutation of the first and second heptadic leucines of the leucine zipper domain of the measles virus fusion protein (MVF) did not affect syncytium formation (a measure of virally-induced cell fusion); however, mutation of all four leucine residues prevented fusion completely (Buckland et al., J. Gen. Virol. 73:1703, 1992). None of the mutations affected the ability of MVF to form a tetramer.

Recently, amino acid substitutions in the a and d residues of a synthetic peptide representing the GCN4 leucine zipper domain have been found to change the oligomerization properties of the leucine zipper domain (Alber, Sixth Symposium of the Protein Society, San Diego, Calif.). When all residues at position a are changed to isoleucine, the leucine zipper still forms a parallel dimer. When, in addition to this change, all leucine residues at position d are also changed to isoleucine, the resultant peptide spontaneously forms a trimeric parallel coiled coil in solution. Substituting all amino acids at position d with isoleucine and at position a with leucine results in a peptide that tetramerizes. Peptides containing these substitutions are still referred to as leucine zipper domains since the mechanism of oligomer formation is believed to be the same as that for traditional leucine zipper domains such as those described above.

Derivatives of IL-17R may also be used as immunogens, reagents in in vitro assays, or as binding agents for affinity purification procedures. Such derivatives may also be obtained by cross-linking agents, such as M-maleimidobenzoyl succinimide ester and N-hydroxysuccinimide, at cysteine and lysine residues. The inventive proteins may also be covalently bound through reactive side groups to various insoluble substrates, such as cyanogen bromide-activated, bisoxirane-activated, carbonyldiimidazole-activated or tosyl-activated agarose structures, or by adsorbing to polyolefin surfaces (with or without glutaraldehyde cross-linking). Once bound to a substrate, proteins may be used to selectively bind (for purposes of assay or purification) antibodies raised against the IL-17R or against other proteins which are similar to the IL-17R, as well as other proteins that bind IL-17R or its homologous proteins.

The present invention also includes IL-17R with or without associated native-pattern glycosylation. Proteins expressed in yeast or mammalian expression systems, e.g., COS-7 cells, may be similar or slightly different in molecular weight and glycosylation Pattern than the native molecules, depending upon the expression system. Expression of DNAs encoding the inventive proteins in bacteria such as E. coli provides non-glycosylated molecules. Functional mutant analogs of IL-17R protein or homologs thereof having inactivated N-glycosylation sites can be produced by oligonucleotide synthesis and ligation or by site-specific mutagenesis techniques. These analog proteins can be produced in a homogeneous, reduced-carbohydrate form in good yield using yeast expression systems. N-glycosylation sites in eukaryotic proteins are characterized by the amino acid triplet Asn-A₁-Z, where A₁ is any amino acid except Pro, and Z is Ser or Thr. In this sequence, asparagine provides a side chain amino group for covalent attachment of carbohydrate. Such a site can be eliminated by substituting another amino acid for Asn or for residue Z, deleting Asn or Z, or inserting a non-Z amino acid between A₁ and Z, or an amino acid other than Asn between Asn and A₁.

IL-17R protein derivatives may also be obtained by mutations of the native IL-17R or its subunits. A IL-17R mutated protein, as referred to herein, is a polypeptide homologous to a IL-17R protein but which has an amino acid sequence different from the native IL-17R because of one or a plurality of deletions, insertions or substitutions. The effect of any mutation made in a DNA encoding a IL-17R peptide may be easily determined by analyzing the ability of the mutated IL-17R peptide to inhibit costimulation of T or B cells by IL-17 (CTLA-8) or homologous proteins, or to bind proteins that specifically bind IL-17R (for example, antibodies or proteins encoded by the CTLA-8 cDNA or the HVS13 ORF). Moreover, activity of IL-17R analogs, muteins or derivatives can be determined by any of the assays methods described herein. Similar mutations may be made in homologs of IL-17R, and tested in a similar manner.

Bioequivalent analogs of the inventive proteins may be constructed by, for example, making various substitutions of residues or sequences or deleting terminal or internal residues or sequences not needed for biological activity. For example, cysteine residues can be deleted or replaced with other amino acids to prevent formation of incorrect intramolecular disulfide bridges upon renaturation. Other approaches to mutagenesis involve modification of adjacent dibasic amino acid residues to enhance expression in yeast systems in which KEX2 protease activity is present.

Generally, substitutions should be made conservatively; i.e., the most preferred substitute amino acids are those which do not affect the ability of the inventive proteins to bind their ligands in a manner substantially equivalent to that of native mIL-17R or hIL-17R. Examples of conservative substitutions include substitution of amino acids outside of the binding domain(s), and substitution of amino acids that do not alter the secondary and/or tertiary structure of IL-17R and homologs thereof. Additional examples include substituting one aliphatic residue for another, such as Ile, Val, Leu, or Ala for one another, or substitutions of one polar residue for another, such as between Lys and Arg; Glu and Asp; or Gln and Asn. Other such conservative substitutions, for example, substitutions of entire regions having similar hydrophobicity characteristics, are well known.

Similarly, when a deletion or insertion strategy is adopted, the potential effect of the deletion or insertion on biological activity should be considered. Subunits of the inventive proteins may be constructed by deleting terminal or internal residues or sequences. Fragments of IL-17R that bind IL-17 can be readily prepared (for example, by using restriction enzymes to delete portions of the DNA) and tested for their ability to bind IL-17. Additional guidance as to the types of mutations that can be made is provided by a comparison of the sequence of IL-17R to proteins that have similar structures, as well as by performing structural analysis of the inventive proteins.

Mutations in nucleotide sequences constructed for expression of analog IL-17R must, of course, preserve the reading frame phase of the coding sequences and preferably will not create complementary regions that could hybridize to produce secondary mRNA structures such as loops or hairpins which would adversely affect translation of the receptor mRNA. Although a mutation site may be predetermined, it is not necessary that the nature of the mutation per se be predetermined. For example, in order to select for optimum characteristics of mutants at a given site, random mutagenesis may be conducted at the target codon and the expressed mutated viral proteins screened for the desired activity.

Not all mutations in the nucleotide sequence which encodes a IL-17R protein or homolog thereof will be expressed in the final product, for example, nucleotide substitutions may be made to enhance expression, primarily to avoid secondary structure loops in the transcribed mRNA (see EPA 75,444A, incorporated herein by reference), or to provide codons that are more readily translated by the selected host, e.g., the well-known E. coli preference codons for E. coli expression.

Mutations can be introduced at particular loci by synthesizing oligonucleotides containing a mutant sequence, flanked by restriction sites enabling ligation to fragments of the native sequence. Following ligation, the resulting reconstructed sequence encodes an analog having the desired amino acid insertion, substitution, or deletion.

Alternatively, oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis procedures can be employed to provide an altered gene having particular codons altered according to the substitution, deletion, or insertion required. Exemplary methods of making the alterations set forth above are disclosed by Walder et al. (Gene 42:133, 1986); Bauer et al. (Gene 37:73, 1985); Craik (BioTechniques, January 1985, 12-19); Smith et al. (Genetic Engineering: Principles and Methods, Plenum Press, 1981); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,584 and 4,737,462 disclose suitable techniques, and are incorporated by reference herein.

Due to code degeneracy, there can be considerable variation in nucleotide sequences encoding the same amino acid sequence. Other embodiments include sequences capable of hybridizing under moderately stringent conditions (prewashing solution of 5×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 1.0 mM EDTA (pH 8.0) and hybridization conditions of 50° C., 5×SSC, overnight) to the DNA sequences encoding IL-17R, and other sequences which are degenerate to those which encode the IL-17R. In a preferred embodiment, IL-17R analogs are at least about 70% identical in amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequence of IL-17R proteins as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3. Similarly, analogs of IL-17R homologs are at least about 70% identical in amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequence of the native, homologous proteins. In a more preferred embodiment, analogs of IL-17R or homologs thereof are at least about 80% identical in amino acid sequence to the native form of the inventive proteins; in a most preferred embodiment, analogs of IL-17R or homologs thereof are at least about 90% identical in amino acid sequence to the native form of the inventive proteins.

Percent identity may be determined using a computer program, for example, the GAP computer program described by Devereux et al. (Nucl. Acids Res. 12:387, 1984) and available from the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group (UWGCG). For fragments derived from the IL-17R protein, the identity is calculated based on that portion of the IL-17R protein that is present in the fragment. Similar methods can be used to analyze homologs of IL-17R.

The ability of WL-17R analogs to bind CTLA-8 can be determined by testing the ability of the analogs to inhibit IL-17 (CTLA-8) -induced T cell proliferation. Alternatively, suitable assays, for example, an enzyme immunoassay or a dot blot, employing CTLA-8 or HSV13 (or a homolog thereof which binds native IL-17R) can be used to assess the ability of IL-17R analogs to bind CTLA-8. Such methods are well known in the art.

Expression of Recombinant Receptors for IL-17

The proteins of the present invention are preferably produced by recombinant DNA methods by inserting a DNA sequence encoding IL-17R protein or a homolog thereof into a recombinant expression vector and expressing the DNA sequence in a recombinant microbial expression system under conditions promoting expression. DNA sequences encoding the proteins provided by this invention can be assembled from cDNA fragments and short oligonucleotide linkers, or from a series of oligonucleotides, to provide a synthetic gene which is capable of being inserted in a recombinant expression vector and expressed in a recombinant transcriptional unit.

Recombinant expression vectors include synthetic or cDNA-derived DNA fragments encoding IL-17R, homologs, or bioequivalent analogs, operably linked to suitable transcriptional or translational regulatory elements derived from mammalian, microbial, viral or insect genes. Such regulatory elements include a transcriptional promoter, an optional operator sequence to control transcription a sequence encoding suitable mRNA ribosomal binding sites, and sequences which control the termination of transcription and translation, as described in detail below. The ability to replicate in a host, usually conferred by an origin of replication, and a selection gene to facilitate recognition of transformants may additionally be incorporated.

DNA regions are operably linked when they are functionally related to each other. For example, DNA for a signal peptide (secretory leader) is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a precursor which participates in the secretion of the polypeptide; a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence if it controls the transcription of the sequence; or a ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to permit translation. Generally, operably linked means contiguous and, in the case of secretory leaders, contiguous and in reading frame. DNA sequences encoding IL-17R or homologs which are to be expressed in a microorganism will preferably contain no introns that could prematurely terminate transcription of DNA into mRNA.

Useful expression vectors for bacterial use can comprise a selectable marker and bacterial origin of replication derived from commercially available plasmids comprising genetic elements of the well known cloning vector pBR322 (ATCC 37017). Such commercial vectors include, for example, pKK223-3 (Pharmacia Fine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden) and pGEM1 (Promega Biotec, Madison, Wis., USA). These pBR322 “backbone” sections are combined with an appropriate promoter and the structural sequence to be expressed. E. coli is typically transformed using derivatives of pBR322, a plasmid derived from an E. coli species (Bolivar et al., Gene 2:95, 1977). pBR322 contains genes for ampicillin and tetracycline resistance and thus provides simple means for identifying transformed cells.

Promoters commonly used in recombinant microbial expression vectors include the γ-lactamase (penicillinase) and lactose promoter system (Chang et al., Nature 275:615, 1978; and Goeddel et al., Nature 281:544, 1979), the tryptophan (trp) promoter system (Goeddel et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 8:4057, 1980; and EPA 36,776) and tac promoter (Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, p. 412, 1982). A particularly useful bacterial expression system employs the phage λ P_(L) promoter and cI857ts thermolabile repressor. Plasmid vectors available from the American Type Culture Collection which incorporate derivatives of the λ P_(L) promoter include plasmid pHUB2, resident in E. coli strain JMB9 (ATCC 37092) and pPLc28, resident in E. coli RR1 (ATCC 53082).

Suitable promoter sequences in yeast vectors include the promoters for metallothionein, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (Hitzeman et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255:2073, 1980) or other glycolytic enzymes (Hess et al., J. Adv. Enzyme Reg. 7:149, 1968; and Holland et al., Biochem. 17:4900, 1978), such as enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, pyruvate decarboxylase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, 3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase, phosphoglucose isomerase, and glucokinase. Suitable vectors and promoters for use in yeast expression are further described in R. Hitzeman et al., EPA 73,657.

Preferred yeast vectors can be assembled using DNA sequences from pBR322 for selection and replication in E. coli (Amp^(r) gene and origin of replication) and yeast DNA sequences including a glucose-repressible ADH2 promoter and α-factor secretion leader. The ADH2 promoter has been described by Russell et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 258:2674, 1982) and Beier et al. (Nature 300:724, 1982). The yeast α-factor leader, which directs secretion of heterologous proteins, can be inserted between the promoter and the structural gene to be expressed. See, e.g., Kurjan et al., Cell 30:933, 1982; and Bitter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:5330, 1984. The leader sequence may be modified to contain, near its 3′ end, one or more useful restriction sites to facilitate fusion of the leader sequence to foreign genes.

The transcriptional and translational control sequences in expression vectors to be used in transforming vertebrate cells may be provided by viral sources. For example, commonly used promoters and enhancers are derived from Polyoma, Adenovirus 2, Simlian Virus 40 (SV40), and human cytomegalovirus. DNA sequences derived from the SV40 viral genome, for example, SV40 origin, early and late promoter, enhancer, splice, and polyadenylation sites may be used to provide the other genetic elements required for expression of a heterologous DNA sequence. The early and late promoters are particularly useful because both are obtained easily from the virus as a fragment which also contains the SV40 viral origin of replication (Fiers et al., Nature 273:113, 1978). Smaller or larger SV40 fragments may also be used, provided the approximately 250 bp sequence extending from the Hind III site toward the BglI site located in the viral origin of replication is included. Further, viral genomic promoter, control and/or signal sequences may be utilized, provided such control sequences are compatible with the host cell chosen. Exemplary vectors can be constructed as disclosed by Okayama and Berg (Mol. Cell. Biol. 3:280, 1983).

A useful system for stable high level expression of mammalian receptor cDNAs in C127 murine mammary epithelial cells can be constructed substantially as described by Cosman et al. (Mol. Immunol. 23:935, 1986). A preferred eukaryotic vector for expression of IL-17R DNA is referred to as pDC406 (McMahan et al., EMBO J. 10:2821, 1991), and includes regulatory sequences derived from SV40, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Other preferred vectors include pDC409 and pDC410, which are derived from pDC406. pDC410 was derived from pDC406 by substituting the EBV origin of replication with sequences encoding the SV40 large T antigen. pDC409 differs from pDC406 in that a Bgl II restriction site outside of the multiple cloning site has been deleted, making the Bgl II site within the multiple cloning site unique.

A useful cell line that allows for episomal replication of expression vectors, such as pDC406 and pDC409, which contain the EBV origin of replication, is CV-1/EBNA (ATCC CRL 10478). The CV-1/EBNA cell line was derived by transfection of the CV-1 cell line with a gene encoding Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and constitutively express EBNA-1 driven from human CMV immediate-early enhancer/promoter.

Host Cells

Transformed host cells are cells which have been transformed or transfected with expression vectors constructed using recombinant DNA techniques and which contain sequences encoding the proteins of the present invention. Transformed host cells may express the desired protein (IL-17R or homologs thereof), but host cells transformed for purposes of cloning or amplifying the inventive DNA do not need to express the protein. Expressed proteins will preferably be secreted into the culture supernatant, depending on the DNA selected, but may be deposited in the cell membrane.

Suitable host cells for expression of viral proteins include prokaryotes, yeast or higher eukaryotic cells under the control of appropriate promoters. Prokaryotes include gram negative or gram positive organisms, for example E. coli or Bacillus spp. Higher eukaryotic cells include established cell lines of mammalian origin as described below. Cell-free translation systems could also be employed to produce viral proteins using RNAs derived from the DNA constructs disclosed herein. Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with bacterial, fungal, yeast, and mammalian cellular hosts are described by Pouwels et al. (Cloning Vectors: A Laboratory Manual, Elsevier, New York, 1985), the relevant disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Prokaryotic expression hosts may be used for expression of IL-17R or homologs that do not require extensive proteolytic and disulfide processing. Prokaryotic expression vectors generally comprise one or more phenotypic selectable markers, for example a gene encoding proteins conferring antibiotic resistance or supplying an autotrophic requirement, and an origin of replication recognized by the host to ensure amplification within the host. Suitable prokaryotic hosts for transformation include E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus, although others may also be employed as a matter of choice.

Recombinant IL-17R may also be expressed in yeast hosts, preferably from the Saccharomyces species, such as S. cerevisiae. Yeast of other genera, such as Pichia or Kluyveromyces may also be employed. Yeast vectors will generally contain an origin of replication from the 2μ yeast plasmid or an autonomously replicating sequence (ARS), promoter, DNA encoding the viral protein, sequences for polyadenylation and transcription termination and a selection gene. Preferably, yeast vectors will include an origin of replication and selectable marker permitting transformation of both yeast and E. coli, e.g., the ampicillin resistance gene of E. coli and S. cerevisiae trp1 gene, which provides a selection marker for a mutant strain of yeast lacking the ability to grow in tryptophan, and a promoter derived from a highly expressed yeast gene to induce transcription of a structural sequence downstream. The presence of the trp1 lesion in the yeast host cell genome then provides an effective environment for detecting transformation by growth in the absence of tryptophan.

Suitable yeast transformation protocols are known to those of skill in the art; an exemplary technique is described by Hinnen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75:1929, 1978, selecting for Trp⁺ transformants in a selective medium consisting of 0.67% yeast nitrogen base, 0.5% casamino acids, 2% glucose, 10 μg/ml adenine and 20 μg/ml uracil. Host strains transformed by vectors comprising the ADH2 promoter may be grown for expression in a rich medium consisting of 1% yeast extract, 2% peptone, and 1% glucose supplemented with 80 μg/rml adenine and 80 μg/mnl uracil. Derepression of the ADH2 promoter occurs upon exhaustion of medium glucose. Crude yeast supematants are harvested by filtration and held at 4° C. prior to further purification.

Various mammalian or insect cell culture systems can be employed to express recombinant protein. Baculovirus systems for production of heterologous proteins in insect cells are reviewed by Luckow and Summers, Bio/Technology 6:47 (1988). Examples of suitable mammalian host cell lines include the COS-7 lines of monkey kidney cells, described by Gluzman (Cell 23:175, 1981), and other cell lines capable of expressing an appropriate vector including, for example, CV-1/EBNA (ATCC CRL 10478), L cells, C127, 3T3, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), HeLa and BHK cell lines. Mammalian expression vectors may comprise nontranscribed elements such as an origin of replication, a suitable promoter and enhancer linked to the gene to be expressed, and other 5′ or 3′ flanking nontranscribed sequences, and 5′ or 3′ nontranslated sequences, such as necessary ribosome binding sites, a polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, and transcriptional termination sequences.

Purification of Receptors for IL-17

Purified IL-17R, homologs, or analogs are prepared by culturing suitable host/vector systems to express the recombinant translation products of the DNAs of the present invention, which are then purified from culture media or cell extracts. For example, supernatants from systems which secrete recombinant protein into culture media can be first concentrated using a commercially available protein concentration filter, for example, an Amicon or Millipore Pellicon ultrafiltration unit.

Following the concentration step, the concentrate can be applied to a suitable purification matrix. For example, a suitable affinity matrix can comprise a counter structure protein or lectin or antibody molecule bound to a suitable support. Alternatively, an anion exchange resin can be employed, for example, a matrix or substrate having pendant diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) groups. The matrices can be acrylamide, agarose, dextran, cellulose or other types commonly employed in protein purification. Alternatively, a cation exchange step can be employed. Suitable cation exchangers include various insoluble matrices comprising sulfopropyl or carboxymethyl groups. Sulfopropyl groups are preferred. Gel filtration chromatography also provides a means of purifying the inventive proteins.

Affinity chromatography is a particularly preferred method of purifying IL-17R and homologs thereof. For example, a IL-17R expressed as a fusion protein comprising an immunoglobulin Fc region can be purified using Protein A or Protein G affinity chromatography. Moreover, a IL-17R protein comprising an oligomerizing zipper domain may be purified on a resin comprising an antibody specific to the oligomerizing zipper domain. Monoclonal antibodies against the IL-17R protein may also be useful in affinity chromatography purification, by utilizing methods that are well-known in the art. A ligand (i.e., IL-17 or HVS-13) may also be used to prepare an affinity matrix for affinity purification of IL-17R.

Finally, one or more reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) steps employing hydrophobic RP-HPLC media, e.g., silica gel having pendant methyl or other aliphatic groups, can be employed to further purify a IL-17R composition. Some or all of the foregoing purification steps, in various combinations, can also be employed to provide a homogeneous recombinant protein.

Recombinant protein produced in bacterial culture is usually isolated by initial extraction from cell pellets, followed by one or more concentration, salting-out, aqueous ion exchange or size exclusion chromatography steps. Finally, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps. Microbial cells employed in expression of recombinant viral protein can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents.

Fermentation of yeast which express the inventive protein as a secreted protein greatly simplifies purification. Secreted recombinant protein resulting from a large-scale fermentation can be purified by methods analogous to those disclosed by Urdal et al. (J. Chromatog. 296:171, 1984). This reference describes two sequential, reversed-phase HPLC steps for purification of recombinant human GM-CSF on a preparative HPLC column.

Protein synthesized in recombinant culture is characterized by the presence of cell components, including proteins, in amounts and of a character which depend upon the purification steps taken to recover the inventive protein from the culture. These components ordinarily will be of yeast, prokaryotic or non-human higher eukaryotic origin and preferably are present in innocuous contaminant quantities, on the order of less than about 1 percent by weight. Further, recombinant cell culture enables the production of the inventive proteins free of other proteins which may be normally associated with the proteins as they are found in nature in the species of origin.

Administration of IL-17R Compositions

The present invention provides methods of using therapeutic compositions comprising an effective amount of a protein and a suitable diluent and carrier. The use of IL-17R or homologs in conjunction with soluble cytokine receptors or cytokines, or other immunoregulatory molecules is also contemplated. Such molecules can be adminstered separaetly, sequentially or simulateously with IL-17R compositions. Particularaly preferred immunoregulatory moleculs are soluble IL-1 receptors, soluble TNF receptors, and fusion proteins thereof.

For therapeutic use, purified protein is administered to a patient, preferably a human, for treatment in a manner appropriate to the indication. Thus, for example, IL-17R protein compositions administered to regulate NO levels can be given by bolus injection, continuous infusion, sustained release from implants, or other suitable technique. Typically, a therapeutic agent will be administered in the form of a composition comprising purified IL-17R, in conjunction with physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents. Such carriers will be nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed.

Ordinarily, the preparation of such protein compositions entails combining the inventive protein with buffers, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates including glucose, sucrose or dextrins, chelating agents such as EDTA, glutathione and other stabilizers and excipients. Neutral buffered saline or saline mixed with conspecific serum albumin are exemplary appropriate diluents. Preferably, product is formulated as a lyophilizate using appropriate excipient solutions (e.g., sucrose) as diluents. Appropriate dosages can be determined in trials. The amount and frequency of administration will depend, of course, on such factors as the nature and severity of the indication being treated, the desired response, the condition of the patient, and so forth.

Receptors for IL-17 (CTLA-8) can be administered for the purpose of regulating levels of NO. Soluble IL-17R are thus likely to be useful in treatment of osteoarthritis. The inventive receptor proteins will also be useful for prevention or treatment inflammation.

The following examples are offered by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations of the invention embodied in the examples can be made, especially in light of the teachings of the various references cited herein, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLE 1

This example illustrates the ability of IL-17R to inhibit the proliferative response of T cells to mitogens. Lymphoid organs were harvested aseptically and cell suspension was created. Splenic and lymph node T cells were isolated from the cell suspension. The purity of the resulting splenic T cell preparations was routinely >95% CD3⁺ and <1% sIgM⁺. Purified murine splenic T cells (2×10⁵/well) were cultured with either 1% PHA or 1 μg/ml Con A, and a soluble IL-17R (a soluble form of IL-17R comprising the extraceelular region of IL-17R fused to the Fc region of human IgG1) was titered into the assay. Proliferation was determined after 3 days with the addition of 1 μCi [³H]thymidine. Secretion of cytokines (Interleukin-2) was determined for murine T cells cultured for 24 hr with 1 μg/ml of Con A in the presence or absence of 10 μg/ml of IL-17R.Fc or in the presence of a control Fc protein. IL-2 production was measured by ELISA and results expressed as ng/ml IL-2 produced.

Soluble IL-17R/Fc significantly inhibited the mitogen-induced proliferation of purified murine splenic T cells in a dose dependent manner, while a control Fc had no effect on the murine T cell proliferation. Complete inhibition of mitogen induced proliferation was observed at a soluble IL-17R.Fc concentration of 10 μg/ml. Analysis of IL-2 production by splenic T cells activated with Con A in the presence or absence of IL-17R.Fc in the culture revealed that addition of IL-17R.Fc to the T-cell culture inhibited IL-2 production to levels 8-9-fold lower than those observed in cultures containing media alone or media plus a control Fc protein. Similar results were observed when purified human T cells were used.

EXAMPLE 2

This example illustrates the ability of IL-17R to inhibit the production of NO by cartilage-associated cells. Articular cartilage is obtained from OA-affected patients or normal controls substantially as described in Amin et al., supra. The cartilage is cut into small (approximately 3 mm) discs, which are placed in organ culture in the presence or absence of IL-17R.Fc or in the presence of a control Fc protein. Nitric oxide production is assayed by determining the nitrite level in the medium at different time intervals, for example by using a modified Griess reaction (Anal. Biochem. 12b: 12299; 1982). Ding et al. (J. Immunol. 141:2407, 1988) also describe a useful method of measuring NO in ex vivo organ cultures of synovium and cartilage associated cells. The IL-17R.Fc is titrated to determine an effective concentration to inhibit NO production. Other soluble forms of IL-17R are also used to regulate NO levels in this manner. 

1. A method of treating a mammal afflicted with osteoarthritis, the method comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a soluble Interleukin-17 Receptor (IL-17R) protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a protein comprising amino acids 28 through 320 of SEQ ID NO:4; (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to the amino acid sequence of (a) that binds IL-17; and (c) a fragment of (a) that binds IL-17; and administering a soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor protein formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier to said mammal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein comprises amino acids 28 through 320 of SEQ ID NO:4.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein comprises a protein having an amino acid sequence that is at least 80% identical to amino acids 28 through 320 of SEQ ID NO:4 and binds IL-17.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein comprises a fragment of amino acids 28 through 320 of SEQ ID NO:4 that binds IL-17.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein further comprises an Fc domain.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the soluble IL-17R protein further comprises an oligomerizing domain. 